While the Detroit Lions still have a ton of free-agent moves to make -- the biggest surrounding defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh -- the team still has a decent amount of its salary cap tied into the defense.
Free agency or a new Suh deal will change that, but here are where things stand this morning according to ESPN Stats & Information. And remember, once the Top 51 rule starts again, some of the lower-end salaries will no longer count against the cap. Check out the dead money, too. It is pretty damning for the defense. Here is the offensive cap outlook from Wednesday.
Defensive ends: Ezekiel Ansah -- $5,071,228; Jason Jones -- $3,983,333; Devin Taylor -- $660,146; Larry Webster -- $585,146; Kerry Hyder -- $435,000; Roy Philon -- $435,000.
Defensive tackle: Jermelle Cudjo -- $660,000; Caraun Reid -- $557,220.
Linebacker: Stephen Tulloch -- $5,800,000; DeAndre Levy --$4,500,000; Kyle Van Noy -- $1,159,569; Tahir Whitehead -- $713,000; Travis Lewis -- $674,793; Julian Stanford -- $660,000; Jerrell Harris -- $435,000.
Cornerback: Darius Slay -- $1,442,537; Bill Bentley -- $817,278; Crezdon Butler -- $585,000; Nevin Lawson -- $510,146; Mohammed Seisay -- $510,000.
Safety: Glover Quin -- $5,742,500; James Ihedigbo -- $1,975,000; Don Carey -- $995,000; Nate Ness -- $585,000.
Dead money: Ndamukong Suh -- $9,737,500; Chris Houston -- $3,900,000; Jonte Green -- $24,250; Jerome Couplin -- $4,000; Mohammed Seisay -- $3,334; Justin Jackson -- $1,667; Gabe Lynn -- $1,334.
And now, a look at Lions news from around the Interwebs:
The Lions release Reggie Bush. This means Theo Riddick should receive a larger role. Should Detroit pursue Jacoby Jones? All eyes remain focused on Ndamukong Suh. Today's Meet the Lions free agent is Andre Fluellen.
The Lions could have some running back options in the draft, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Some misconceptions about the Ndamukong Suh contract negotiations, from Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News.
Martin Mayhew is trying to figure out why Eric Ebron didn't contribute more as a rookie, writes Justin Rogers of MLive.